18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Exodus 16:2-4.12-15

Psalm 77

Ephesians 4:17.20-24

John 6:24-35

NO MORE AIMLESS LIFE!

Why must we believe in Jesus Christ and follow him? Are we miracles-driven Christians or faith-driven Christians? Why do we go to church? These are few questions we are invited to reflect upon today.

In today’s gospel, which is a continuation of last Sunday’s gospel reading, the crowd whom Jesus fed in the wilderness came back, looking for him, wanting more of the bread he had provided. So, Jesus told them: “I tell you solemnly, you are looking for me not because you have seen signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.” He then challenged them to seek for food that does not perish but which endures for eternal life, the bread which the Son of Man will give.

Indeed, this crowd is not much different from many Christians today. For some people go to church because they get emotionally enthused over the singing and preaching during liturgical celebrations. Others go to look for solutions to their problems. Others too attend Mass because they “should be there” to avoid social tagging… All these people go to church, but with a wrong motive. That is why in front of difficulties, they either wander hopelessly looking for miracles or become angry with God like the Israelites in the wilderness.

In effect, the Israelites had just witnessed the wonderful deeds of God who delivered them from slavery in Egypt and how God made them passed through the red sea dry-shod. But they still murmured against Moses and God because they were hungry. They forgot that God could feed them out from nothing. And indeed, God did feed them with the manna.

Similarly, when we are faced with challenges, we often forget God’s power. We go about looking for miracles everywhere: we move from church to church, from one pastor to another, from mallams to fetish priests looking for quick answers to our problems. We forget that the Jesus who fed the people, healed the sick and worked signs is the same Jesus in the Eucharist, that we celebrate every day. 

Thus, St Paul exhorts us saying: “I urge you in the name of the Lord, not to go on living the aimless kind of life that pagans live.” Do not go looking for miracles. You are a miracle yourself. Follow Jesus in faith, he alone can satisfy your deepest hunger and thirst. Be a faith-driven Christian and your life will never be the same. Amen